5.10.17

Monkeypox disease: What to know

Are there rodents in your vicinity? Do you live in Nigeria or
anywhere in West or Central Africa? Then you should care about
monkeypox.
Yes, it was first identified in laboratory monkeys, hence the name,
but it’s actively transmitted to humans by rodents or primates and by a
secondary human-to-human transmission.

So how do you get it?
1. It’s infectious meaning it can come to you. The monkeypox virus is
transmitted via contact with an infected animal’s blood, flesh, bite, or
an infected human.
2. It’s a virus. Viral infections are generally harder to treat than bacteria’s and the monkeypox virus is a rare type.
3. It can cause fatal illnesses and quick deaths, especially in younger age groups.
4. It has NO treatment or vaccine but outbreaks can be controlled.
5. The incubation period is 5 -21 days. Symptoms typically last 14 – 21
days with severe cases occurring among children with longer virus
exposure.
6. Monkeypox virus can only be diagnosed definitively in the laboratory by a number of different tests.Symptoms
It manifests as various stages of rash and an intense weakness among
other things. Rashes, ranging from a few to several thousands, begins on
the face, then palms and feet soles. The lesions (or rashes) later
become fluid-filled blisters and lastly crusts which can affect the oral
membranes, genitalia, eyelids and eyeballs.What do you do?
1. Cook animal flesh or blood properly before consuming. Monkeypox virus
remain active in infected primates or rodent even after their death.
2. Stay away from body fluids, lesions, respiratory tract secretions, or
objects recently contaminated by monkeypox patients. Transmission
occurs via droplets respiratory particles.
3. Don’t pick up stray animals especially if you live in the tropics.
4. Immediately quarantine infected animals or humans. Close physical
contact is a significant risk factor and protective equipment must be
worn while providing care for patients.
5. Regular handwashing is encouraged.
6. If you have been in the proximity of an infected person, go for
definitive testing in the laboratory.7. Spread the awareness by
forwarding this article.
7. Spread the awareness by forwarding this article.